Nashua aldermen seeking to keep tabs on public safety requests

By JIM HADDADIN

Staff Writer

NASHUA – For the second time this year, aldermen are considering a change to city regulations that would help them to stay abreast of what’s happening at City Hall. An ordinance sponsored by Alderman-at-Large Jim Donchess would require the city’s purchasing department to notify the Finance Committee of any purchase requests it receives from the police or fire departments.

Five aldermen have signed on as co-sponsors of the ordinance, which would cover any request to buy equipment or supplies or to contract for services if the request would ultimately require approval from the Finance Committee. ...
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NASHUA – For the second time this year, aldermen are considering a change to city regulations that would help them to stay abreast of what’s happening at City Hall. An ordinance sponsored by Alderman-at-Large Jim Donchess would require the city’s purchasing department to notify the Finance Committee of any purchase requests it receives from the police or fire departments.

Five aldermen have signed on as co-sponsors of the ordinance, which would cover any request to buy equipment or supplies or to contract for services if the request would ultimately require approval from the Finance Committee.

The move comes after a request to buy new laptop computers for several police cruisers became stalled after it reached the purchasing office. Some Finance Committee members openly questioned whether Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, who sets the Finance Committee’s agenda, had dragged her feet on forwarding the request on for approval.

Lozeau said at the time that she was still vetting the purchase request with city staff and was unaware of the urgent need for the new laptops, a crucial component for getting the new police cruisers on the road.

Aldermen-at-Large David Deane, Lori Wilshire and Diane Sheehan, Ward 5 Alderman Michael Soucy and Ward 9 Alderman Ken Siegel are co-sponsoring the new legislation, which is expected to be reviewed by a committee before going to the full board for a decision.

Aldermen previously approved legislation that requires the mayor to notify the board when contracts that were previously approved by the Finance Committee are altered or terminated early.

Jim Haddadin can be reached at 594-6589 or jhaddadin@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow Haddadin on Twitter (@Telegraph_JimH).